Are There Traces of Alcohol in Your Favorite Soda?

Update: A previous version of this blog post stated that Coca-Cola would be changing its soda recipe in the U.S. However, that information was a rumor, and the Coca-Cola company will not be altering its formula.

Major soda brands are known for having their fair share of
strange ingredients, but one that could come as a surprise to many
consumers is alcohol.

According to the Seattle
Post Intelligencer, a French magazine called 60 Million Consumers recently published research that found trace
amounts of alcohol in 19 major soda brands worldwide. The sodas included
Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, and Pepsi.

The actual amount of alcohol present was minuscule, reaching about
0.001 percent per liter, so soda drinkers don't have to worry about
getting drunk from consuming a few cans of pop. The Huffington Post reports that Coca-Cola France's scientific
director, Michel Pepin, proposed one theory for the presence of alcohol: natural fruit
fermenting that could take place during the secret drink-making process.

Coca-Cola isn't hiding the alcohol in its soda. In fact, a
disclaimer is posted on the company website. It reads, "Trace levels of alcohol
can occur naturally in many foods and beverages. Government and religious organizations
have recognized that such minute levels are considered acceptable in
nonalcoholic foods and beverages."

Posted by Zoe Bain

Zoe fell in love with food at the young age of three while perched on the kitchen counter watching her grandma make apple cake from scratch. Although she loves dining out, Zoe's favorite foods have always been those hand-picked fresh from her family's backyard. She is currently waiting patiently to sample their latest garden additions, yellow raspberries and pineapples. Read More

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